Up the north ridge from the saddle west of Lake 10425, where I spent the night before after Gray Peak. A good route, not too loose and even a cless 3 move or two to be had. Nice views east, then on to Merced Peak and Triple Divide Peak later in the day.

Day hike from Grayling Lake along Red Creek. Somewhat tricky ascent to northwest ridge from Lake 10425, then enjoyable class-2 scramble on broken but very stable red rocks to the summit. Fabulous uninterrupted views of Yosemite and the Sierra Crest from far north to way south, with Mount Ritter and Minarets just across the San Joaquin River basin. I was only the fourth person who signed the register this season. Two people, Mike and Eva, reached the peak via WSW chute earlier in the day, and Eric from San Francisco made the first ascent of the year on July 8. Last year, about 15 parties visited Red Peak; the last ascent of the 2008 season was registered on October 27. Trip report.

From Mono Meadows TH climbed Gray Peak via the W-Ridge. Then descended the SW face and climbed Red Peak. I don't agree with the "abysmal slog" comment. Coming from the north, the ridge was actually quite enjoyable. Beautiful area with lots of wildflowers. The hike back out didn't seem to end. Lots of mosquitos at Mono Meadows.

Dayhike (along with Merced Peak) out of the Chiquito Pass trailhead--probably a modest effort by current standards, but it seemed awfully long (and tedious) at the time. I found Red to be an abysmal slog with mediocre views... but despite this, it's nonetheless been on my to-do list to go back and climb it in spring out of Yosemite Valley one of these days. I hold out hope that it will be better as a snow climb.

I thought the views were lovely -- this was a good viewpoint to see a LOT of Yosemite National Park, all the way to Tower Peak. It was especially interesting to see the system of lakes, meadows, and creeks making up the Merced River headwaters. I bet you would have had a different perspective if somebody had left you a chocolate bar in the summit register box.

Starting at Upper Merced Pass Lake, we hiked too far up the Red Peak Pass trail from Upper Ottoway Lakes, and so had a loose traverse to get to the large red gendarmes. From there it was a not-to-bad climb to the summit ridge, and then a stroll to the top.

Since we started at Upper Merced Pass Lake, it was a not-very-long day.